112: New Account Who Dis? with Michael Schirtzer [UNLOCKED]

Quick Overview

Michael Schirtzer's Instagram account was disappeared after being flagged by Jordana Cutler, Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief, who he asserts actively censors pro-Palestinian content as part of an information war. Schirtzer's deplatforming occurred shortly after a stand-up comedy clip of his, which triggered Israelis to walk out, went viral and was monetized, making him feel honored that the app indicated he had too much influence.

Key Points: Michael Schirtzer's Instagram account was disappeared by Jordana Cutler, Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief, whom he identifies as a former Israeli government official directly connected to Netanyahu. Schirtzer's deplatforming occurred after a stand-up comedy clip of his, where Israelis walked out due to his jokes, went viral and was monetized on TikTok, earning $700 that he will send to Gaza. Jordana Cutler stated her role is to ensure "the voices of Israelis and the Jewish community are heard" and that Meta's policies protect "Israelis and Jews," including specific allowances for their hateful conduct. Meta updated its policies to recognize that "the term Zionist can be used as a proxy for Jews and Israelis," which Schirtzer and the hosts argue conflates Zionism with Judaism to justify censorship. Meta's own internal audit found that Facebook discriminates against Palestinians, violates their rights, and coordinates directly with the Israeli government, leading to arrests for incitement. Cutler publicly declared, "I am living out the Zionist dream," describing her role as controlling what Jews in the diaspora can say online from Israel, which the hosts equate to a "Death Star" operation. The censorship creates a "chilling effect," with Schirtzer noting a friend on a visa feared texting him due to concerns about being kicked out of the country, highlighting the real-world impact of digital surveillance.

Context: The podcast "Bad Hazbara" features an interview with Michael Schirtzer, a Jewish anti-Zionist activist, stand-up comedian, and co-host of "The Palestine Pod." The discussion centers on the increasing censorship of pro-Palestinian voices on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, and the alleged role of Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief, Jordana Cutler, in these deplatforming efforts. The hosts and Schirtzer frame these actions within the context of an ongoing "information war" regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.